Cartridge Transfer Device

ABSTRACT

A cartridge transfer device including a rack, a bearing platform, moving mechanisms, and fixing mechanisms is disclosed. The moving mechanisms and the fixing mechanisms are arranged in a bottom of the rack. The bearing platform is arranged on a top of the rack. The cartridge transfer device is fixed on the ground when the fixing mechanisms contact the ground, and the cartridge transfer device is movable by the moving mechanisms when the fixing mechanisms are suspendable. In this way, the cost and the process of building the cartridge device in each of the storage slots are reduced.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a cartridge transfer device, and more particularly to a cartridge transfer device for transporting the cartridge.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Glass substrates are usually temporarily stored in cartridges in the manufacturing process of the liquid crystal panels. The cartridge transfer devices are needed before the cartridges are going to he stored in the storage slots or are going to he moved out from the storage slots. For example, when the cartridges are going to he stored in the storage slots, the cartridges are first transported to the transfer device by a transportation device and the cartridge are then transported to the storage slots by forks.

During the above processes the transportation device and the transfer device are both needed for each of the storage slots, and the cost of the transfer devices are high.

SUMMARY

The object of the claimed invention is to provide a cartridge transfer device capable of operating in a fixed status and a movable status

In one aspect, a cartridge transfer device includes a rack, a bearing platform, moving mechanisms, and fixing mechanisms. The rack includes a plurality of pillars and a plurality of connecting rods connecting two adjacent pillars. The pillars include primary pillars corresponding to corners of a cartridge. The bearing platform is arranged in a top of the rack, and the hearing platform is for bearing the cartridge. The moving mechanisms are rolling wheels arranged in a bottom of the rack. The fixing mechanisms arranged in the bottom of the rack, the cartridge transfer device is fixed on the ground when the fixing mechanisms contact the ground, and the cartridge transfer device is movable by the moving mechanisms when the fixing mechanisms are suspendable.

Wherein the bearing platform includes supporting pads arranged on the top of each of the primary pillars.

Wherein the supporting pads includes a bearing portion and an abutting portion, the hearing portion is for supporting corners of the cartridge, and the abutting portion is for preventing the cartridge from moving horizontally.

Wherein the rolling wheels are arranged in the bottom of each of the pillars.

Wherein the fixing mechanisms are arranged on each of the pillars.

Wherein the cartridge transfer device further includes a horizontal connecting pieces for connecting the fixing mechanisms and the pillars.

Wherein the horizontal connecting pieces include screw holes with inner screws, and the fixing mechanisms include outer screws so as to adjust a distance between the fixing mechanisms and the ground.

In another aspect, a cartridge transfer device includes a rack, a bearing platform, moving mechanisms and fixing mechanisms. The bearing platform is arranged in a top of the rack, and the hearing platform is for bearing a cartridge. The fixing mechanisms are arranged in a bottom of the rack. The cartridge transfer device is fixed on the ground when the fixing mechanisms contact the ground, and the cartridge transfer device is movable by the moving mechanisms when the fixing mechanisms are suspendable.

Wherein the rack includes a plurality of pillars and a plurality of connecting rods connecting two adjacent pillars.

Wherein the pillars includes primary pillars corresponding to corners of the cartridge.

Wherein the hearing platform includes supporting pads arranged on the top of each of the primary pillars.

Wherein supporting pads includes a bearing portion and an abutting portion, the bearing portion is for supporting corners of the cartridge, and the abutting portion is for preventing the cartridge from moving horizontally.

Wherein the moving mechanisms are rolling wheels arranged in the bottom of the rack.

Wherein the rolling wheels are arranged in the bottom of each of the pillars.

Wherein the fixing mechanisms are arranged on each of the pillars.

Wherein the fixing mechanisms are arranged on each of the pillars.

Wherein the horizontal connecting pieces include screw holes with inner screws, and the fixing mechanisms include outer screws so as to adjust the distance between the fixing pieces and the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the cartridge transfer device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the claimed invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view of the horizontal connecting piece and the fixing piece of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown.

Referring to FIG. 1, the cartridge transfer device 100 is for transporting the cartridge not shown). The cartridge transfer device 100 includes a rack 1, at bearing platform 2, moving mechanisms 3, fixing mechanisms 4, and a shaft 5.

The moving mechanism 3 and the fixing mechanisms 4 are arranged in a bottom of the rack 1. The bearing platform 2 is arranged in a top of the rack 1. The bearing platform 2 is for carrying the cartridge. The fixing mechanisms 4 may contact the ground so as to support the cartridge transfer device 100 on the ground. The fixing mechanisms 4 may also be suspendable so that the cartridge transfer device 100 is movable, on the ground.

The rack 1 is made by metallic material with high strength. The rack 1 includes a plurality of pillars 11 and a plurality of connecting, rods 12. The pillars 11 may include tour primary pillars 111 corresponding to corners of the cartridge. All of the primary pillars 111 have the same height. In other embodiments, the pillars 11 may include a plurality of secondary pillars (not shown) arranged between the primary pillars 111. Each of the connecting rods 12 connects two adjacent primary pillars 111.

The bearing platform 2 includes supporting pads 21 arranged on the top of each of the primary pillars 111. Preferably, the dimension and the shape of the supporting pads 21 are substantially the same. In the embodiment, the dimension of the cross sections of the supporting pads 21 is larger than that of the primary pillars 111. The supporting pads 21 include a supporting piece 213 and a contacting piece 214. The supporting piece 213 is arranged between the primary pillars 111 and the contacting piece 214. The supporting piece 213 may be made by metallic materials with high strength. The contacting piece 214 may be made by materials with buffer capabilities, such as rubbers.

The contacting piece 214 of each supporting pads 21 includes a bearing portion 211 and an abutting portion 212. The abutting portion 212 is higher than the bearing portion 211. Each of the bearing portions 211 is for supporting one corner of the cartridge, and the abutting portion 212 is for preventing the cartridge from moving horizontally. In the embodiment, each abutting portion 212 includes two stopper arms 215 higher than the two abutting portions 212 in the vertical direction, and the two abutting portions 212 are vertical to each other. In other embodiments, the abutting portion 212 may include one stopper arm 215, and the direction of the stopper arm 215 of each of the supporting pads 21 may be adjusted to prevent the cartridge from moving horizontally.

The moving mechanisms 3 may be rolling wheels 31 arranged in the bottom of the pillars 11. In the embodiment, one rolling wheel 31 is arranged in the bottom of each of the pillars 11. In real scenarios, the number of the rolling wheels 31 arranged in the bottom of each of the pillars 11 may be different. Preferably, the rolling wheel 31 is a directional rolling wheel.

The fixing mechanisms 4 include fixing pieces 41 arranged on each of the pillars 11. In addition, the cartridge transfer device 100 further includes horizontal connecting pieces 42 for connecting the fixing pieces 41 and the pillars 11.

Also referring to FIG. 2, in the embodiment, outer screws is arranged on the fixing pieces 41 and a screw hole 421 with inner screws is arranged on the horizontal connecting pieces 42 so as to adjust the distance between the fixing pieces 41 and the ground. In order to obtain better stability of the rack 1, the dimension of the bottom of the fixing pieces 41 is larger than the dimension of other portions of the fixing pieces 41.

In real scenarios, the fixing pieces 41 may be hydraulic cylinders, hoisting jack, or other adjusting structures for adjusting the distance between the fixing pieces 41 and the ground. Similarly, the number of the fixing pieces 41 may be the same with the number of the pillars 11. In other embodiments, the number of the fixing pieces 41 may also be more than or less than the number of the pillars 11.

In the embodiment, the fixing mechanisms 4 are fixed to the pillars 11, In other embodiments, the fixing mechanisms 4 may be fixed to other portions of the rack 1. For example, the fixing mechanisms 4 may be fixed to the connecting rods 12. It is understood that the fixing, mechanisms 4 may he fixed to the connecting rods 12 without adopting other connecting assembly.

The shaft 5 connects with the connecting rods 12. In the embodiment, the number of the shaft 5 is three for controlling, the movement of the cartridge transfer device 100 from different directions. In other embodiments, the number of the shaft 5 is not limited. Preferably, the shaft 5 is lower than the bearing platform 2 in the vertical direction so that the cartridge may be stored in or move out from the cartridge transfer device 100 easily.

Comparing to the conventional technology, the cartridge transfer device 100 of the claimed invention further includes the moving mechanisms 3 and the fixing mechanisms 4. By adjusting the distance between the fixing mechanisms 4 and the ground, the cartridge transfer device 100 may be operated in a movable status and a fixed status. That is, the cartridge may be transported when the cartridge transfer device 100 is in the movable status, and the cartridge may be unloaded when the cartridge transfer device 100 is in the fixed status. Therefore, the cost and the process of building the cartridge device in each of the storage slots are reduced.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will he understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention. 

1-17. (canceled)
 18. A cartridge transferring device, comprising: a rack configured with a plurality of vertical pillars interconnected with a plurality of horizontal rods therebetween, wherein at least one handle is attached to one of the horizontal rods; each of the pillars being associated with a bearing platform on a top end thereof so as to jointly defining a supporting surface for supporting a cartridge thereon, wherein the bearing platform is configured with a supporting pad with corner walls extending thereof for hindering horizontal movement of the cartridge supported thereon; each of the pillars being associated with a roller on a bottom end thereof for movement of the rack; and at least a fixing mechanism associated with one of the rollers so as to hinder the movement of the roller when the fixing mechanism is anchored onto a ground surface.
 19. (canceled)
 20. The cartridge transferring device as recited in claim 18, wherein each of the rest of the rollers is associated with a fixing mechanism.
 21. The cartridge transferring device as recited in claim 18, wherein the fixing mechanism comprises a horizontal connecting piece terminated to the lower end of the pillar for adjustment of the fixing mechanism with respect to the ground surface.
 22. The cartridge transferring device as recited in claim 21, wherein each of horizontal connecting pieces comprises a screw hole with inner thread, and each of the fixing mechanisms comprises outer thread coupling with the screw hole so as to facilitate anchoring of the fixing mechanism to the ground or away therefrom.
 23. A cartridge transferring device, comprising: a rack configured with a plurality of vertical pillars and a handle mounted thereto; each of the vertical pillars being associated with a bearing platform on a top end thereof so as to jointly defining a supporting surface for supporting a cartridge thereon, and wherein the bearing platform is configured with a supporting pad with corner walls extending thereof for hindering horizontal movement of the cartridge supported thereon; each of the pillars being associated with a roller on a bottom end thereof for movement of the rack, and at least a fixing mechanism associated with one of the rollers so as to hinder the movement of the roller when the fixing mechanism is anchored onto a ground surface.
 24. The cartridge transferring device as recited in claim 23, wherein the plurality vertical pillars are interconnected with a plurality of horizontal rods.
 25. (canceled)
 26. The cartridge transferring device as recited in claim 24, wherein each of the rest of the rollers is associated with a fixing mechanism.
 27. The cartridge transferring device as recited in claim 24, wherein the fixing mechanism comprises a horizontal connecting piece terminated to the lower end of the pillar for adjustment of the fixing mechanism with respect to the ground surface.
 28. The cartridge transferring device as recited in claim 24, wherein each of horizontal connecting pieces comprises a screw hole with inner thread, and each of the fixing mechanisms comprises outer thread coupling with the screw hole so as to facilitate anchoring of the fixing mechanism to the ground or away therefrom.
 29. (canceled) 